Sunday, September 15, 2013

Nothing better than picking apples

If my daughter is home, and it is apple season, I know she will pull me out of whatever project I have going and make us go apple picking. This is something that she has loved her whole life and goes back to her earliest childhood. Eating right from the garden or off a tree is something I taught her at a young age. Before she could even talk, she could run to those things edible in the garden. At the time my focus was creating an edible eden in the backyard of herbs and fruits. She could show you the scented geraniums, pineapple mint or gooseberries- even if she couldn't say their name.Today she is still interested in food (she was a cook all summer), and so off to Rocky Ridge Orchard we went last Sunday for some apples, cider and pumpkins. A gorgeous day, the parking lot stretched the whole field, and families towed excited kids in carts. We chose a few each from many varieties; Macoun, Macintosh, and Honey Crisp. Walking through the rows, the crowds disappear and it was just she and I, trying to find the biggest and ripest, tasting as we went. The air smelled sweet and slightly fermented. From there we went back to the main house, where the pumpkins were laid out.
Orange, pink, white, green... tall, flat, warted, and ribbed...we took a long time picking three for the front door that went together. Another memory made- to add to all the places we've gone apple picking.

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Vanessa Nesvig

I am a gardener and painter interested in growing in a beautiful, organic, and sustainable way. A Master Gardener since 1993, I love kitchen gardens, herb gardens, native plants, and organic gardening methods.